Monday, June 13, 2011 — Could this be a day for hockey history?

Well, we’re one game away from the Stanley Cup.  Two games, if the Canucks don’t win it tonight.

I’m thinking it’ll be tonight.

But, then again, my predictions don’t normally pan out.

So, it’s crossed fingers and the shirt with Henrik’s name and number on it today.

I’ve got mad butterflies in my stomach and it’s only 7:13 a.m.  Don’t know how I’m going to make it to 6:30 tonight.

One thing is for sure; it will be a brutal game.  The Bruins are going to be bringing their best street-fighting technique to the ice, and I’m sure Vancouver won’t be holding anything back, either.

I don’t think there is any other sport on the planet that is as physically demanding on a player as hockey.  The speed at which they have to move, the constant movement of their legs, the extreme upper body strength they must have in order to control the puck and ward off opponents while fore- and back-checking all the time, as well as  the mental toughness it takes to compete in such an intense sport makes hockey a true gladiator sport.

It’s do or die, and, when you watch how these players will sacrifice the body you can’t help but think that they have to be a little crazy.  Even the Sedin’s, who everyone likes to criticize,

Wayne Gretzky hoisting hockey's greatest prize -- hopefully, Henrik will do the same tonight. Photo courtesy Google images.

as they once did Gretzky, for shying away from the physical aspect of the game have taken their fair share of smashes into the boards, pucks to the body, sticks to the ribs and ankles all in the name of claiming first place and being able to hoist a shiny silver cup over their heads.

I hope tonight sees the Canucks win, they deserve it.  They’ve worked hard, played hard and put up with a lot of negativity and criticism to get to be one of the two best teams in the league.  Hopefully, tonight, they get to claim they are THE BEST.

Go, team, go!

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Game 1 — maybe not pretty, but Vancouver prevails!

So, I missed the first two periods because of my Annual General Meeting and Recognition Dinner.   Sigh.  But it had to be.  ( I am once again President — in by acclamation.)  Two more years.  I gave them the heads-up.

But. . .

. . . back to the game.

I rushed in the door with all the crap I had to take back home with me (double sigh) and immediately switched on the TV.  I’d had the game on the radio on the way home and learned it was scoreless.  That was somewhat of a relief, but then they said Vancouver was having to rely on only 5 defencemen and I felt my stomach lurch.  Who was hurt?  Turns out it was Hamhuis.  Tough break.  He was out for the rest of the game.  Hopefully, though, he’ll be good to go for game 2.

I thought it was a pretty good third period.  Canucks came on hard, outskated Boston and had plenty of opportunities to score, but Boston’s goalie was rock solid in the net.  Don Cherry is right about that —  this will be a goalie’s series.  I don’t agree with his comment at the end of the game though that this was a pathetic game.  He said it was the worst playoff game he’d ever witnessed.  I think he’s just trying to stir things up.  Either that or he had blinders on.

Was it the best game ever played?  No.  But it was only game 1 of this final series.  And, most importantly, Vancouver won.  It doesn’t matter how spectacular it was, doesn’t matter when the winning goal came, or who scored it — all that matter is that it happened.

Raffi Torres, picture courtesy of NHL.com

Speaking of the winning goal, scored with only 19 seconds left in the game — who’d have thought it would be third liner Raffi Torres?  I like him as a player — he’s scrappy, tough, and committed 100% of the time.  And, despite all the negative comments about the game, his goal was a beauty.

 

Anyway, I’m a happy camper this morning.  Come on Friday!